Time to go...

This morning we got up and met Travis, Debbie, Sherri and Ericka at Mimi's. All I can say is that Travis can eat!! And eat!! It was a yummy breakfast and then it was time to say goodbye! Dane and the kids are going to be going to AZ on Tuesday so the kids could see Travis before he has to return.
I have a new respect for people in the Armed Forces! Listening to stories and the things that Travis had to go through I would have cried and quit. He has changed so much in 13 weeks that I would have no problem with Brian wanting to go in the military. I was so impressed with how people congratulated him and said thank you! I see a lot of military people at my jobs and now I want to thank them for the sacrifice they make to serve our country.
I am so glad that we were able to be there for Travis and let him know how proud we are of him and he decisions that have taken him where he is now!!!

Eating ,Walking and more Eating...

Travis had the whole day planned around where we would eat!! First thing he had to have was Chipotle. We all went there and he ate his burrito not to fast and enjoyed every minute of it!! I was amazed at how many random people came up to Travis and said Congrats on graduating and then told him Thank you!! I was touched that people were so open with their pride of America!! Then he wanted to go back to the hotel to do some manscaping (hahahah) so we went back to our hotel and changed and went back to Debbie's hotel. Travis and his friends were going swimming so Dane joined them and soon all of us girls were hanging out at the pool. The weather was AMAZING and we were all just enjoying each others company.
Then Travis was ready to eat again and he wanted to go and have what he had heard was the best pizza in San Diego. The Tap room it was! This place was not what Travis thought it was but we all were ready to have some pizza!! First while we waiting for the pizza we had so many appetizers and Travis had a whole plate of french fries!!! Then the pizza came and it was so good!! Travis and Dane loved it the most!!



After pizza we headed down the street to see the beach he wanted to put his feet in the water. We walked and walked and walked down to the Beach and when we got there the only people who got there feet wet were Dane and Ericka. Travis had tennis shoes on and just stood and looked at the water!!! Then he wanted to find a cold stone creamery. Thanks to Ericka and her phone skills we found one close by!! We walked and walked some more and finally found the ice cream! In the store Travis thought me the in and outs of cold stone. He and I were the only ones to get some but it was great!!!


I had so much fun with this group of people and I am so glad that I decided to come!! I love my sister in law, her mom and her amazing friends and of course my favorite Marine!! We said our goodbyes and decided to meet for breakfast!!

Red Friday

This morning thanks to great info form the hotel manager we got to the base at 630. Thank goodness they have a Starbucks and a store that was open. We were instructed by Travis that we had to park as close to the building as possible which we did, Dane got front row parking right across from the building where the bags were lined up. We had an hour till Debbie, Sandy and Harry came. We were meeting to see the changing of the colors. We watched and listened to the ceremony, then we decided to do some shopping before the graduation started. I love the base the building were built in 1920 and I love the style!! The walkways seems to go on forever!!
While we were shopping we of course took some pictures of us! We had to wear red because that was his colors! Yes I wore red, not my favorite color but I do things for certain special people!!

While we were shopping we were getting phone calls from Sandy and Dane telling us that people were mad that they were saving seats for us. I let Debbie and made the long trek to the bleachers!! Soon after Sheri and Ericka met us and then Debbie came! It was time to start the ceremonies.
1003

This was his platoon 1003. We were seated in a perfect place so we could see Travis the whole time! He looked so good in his blues!


There was a lot of band playing and marching and a lot of talking from the drill instructors and generals! Then they were presented to us as the newest Marines!!
The bleachers emptied and we found Travis and he was actually smiling! This was the first smile I got from him!!! Yea now he is not only my favorite nephew he is my favorite MARINE!!!!

Family Day at MCRD

My favorite nephew (no really serious) went to Marine boot camp 13 weeks ago and was graduating this weekend. I struggled with going for the two weeks before, with Dane being laid off I was struggling with deciding. I could not find a hotel for a good price, then on Tuesday I found one that was well in our price range. I made the decision to go. I felt like it was a big deal and I wanted him to know that we were so PROUD of him! So this morning we dropped the kids off at Valerie's and got on the road.
We made it to San Diego in 5 hours, dropped our bags off at Debbie's room and got directions to the base! We pulled on the base and were told where to go. We walked in to the bowling alley / sports bar and found the group!! When Travis stood up I was shocked he was so little and looked so much more grown up then I remembered! We ate a little lunch and then we were off to shop! Since on the base you do not have to pay sales tax!! Of course I made everyone stop and take pictures!!!



Talking with Travis and asking a million questions I could tell that he had really changed and was a real grown up. I know that he was a grown up before but he was different, just a changed man!! We shopped Travis helped us pick shirts for the kids and us. He took us to the Marine Museum and showed us some stuff but the museum closed so we went to the market got him a snickers and he had to but a monster for his drill instructor. He got some pizza and we sat around and talked for a minute and then it was time to say goodbye!!

Then Debbie, Sandy, Harry, Dane and I went to eat dinner together!! We finally agreed on Joe's Crab shack and we remembered why we had not eaten there in 12 years. But hands down the funniest part of the day was when Debbie and I were chatting waiting for the bill and the lady next to us said I think that lady at the window is trying to get your attention, we both looked over and saw Sandy waving at us. Debbie smiled and nodded at her, finally the waiter brought the bills and and we got up to leave. Debbie had to use the restroom and I went outside to wait for her and as I was standing outside I hear "STEPHANIE" being screamed across the walkway. I looked over and saw Sandy waving at me. When Debbie and I got to the car we found out the whole time we were waiting for the check Sandy thought we were just chatting and not really caring about anyone else. Good times!!

I will cook

These are not words that I have heard from Dane's mouth in years! Yes he barbeque's for us when I ask but he does not usually volunteer to cook dinner!
I had to work both jobs tonight so I called the house to see if Aubrie would take some hamburger out for me. Dane took the phone and asked me what are you making I will just cook dinner!
I almost fell out of my chair but I managed to say yes!
I got home and he was making chicken quesadillas, he had chopped up all sorts of things to put in the quesadilla. It was so nice to come home take a shower and eat a hot dinner!

maybe a little bit obessed

I came home from work today and my house smelled like smoke. I was a little perplexed because when I asked the kids what dad had burnt they both said "nothing". I got into the kitchen and there were these two nice and shiny cast iron dishes on my stove. Dane came in and told me that he had been seasoning them all day. He kept picking them up and showing me how you can wipe your hand on them and there is nothing on your hand. Oh and you can do it with a paper towel too. After hearing this for a long time he finally asked me where the camera was and took these pictures. WOW!

Happy 32nd Birthday

32 years old today!! For a couple of months Dane and I will be the same age!
I had to work all day so we had a little celebration at home!! The kids made him cards and Aubrie made him this sign! We got him a new cast iron skillet that he was excited and started thinking of things he could make with it!

Then Holly and Aaron called and wanted to come over and hang out! So grandma took the kids and we decided that we would just hang out at home and get dinner! We hung out ate dinner and of course we ended up in the front yard where Bert and Rhonda joined us!! We had a fun time just hanging out!!
I can not believe that when I first met Dane he was 17, and now we are both in our 30's!! It has gone by so fast we now have a middle school kid and a second grader. Time has flown.......

Dinner for two!

Tonight it was just Dane and I. Aubrie was spending the night at Grandmas and Brian was having playing with his friend. So Dane wanted to know if I wanted him to cook dinner! Um let me think about that ... YES. So he decided to make Steaks, Dutch Oven potatoes and squash. He was in the kitchen chopping away adding all sorts of stuff to the dutch oven!! It was bacon, ham, mushrooms,cheese, potatoes, cheese and sauce!

After about an hour they were ready to eat!! They looked and smelled so good and he was quite proud of himself!

We sat down and enjoyed a nice quiet dinner just the two of us!!! And the potatoes were so good!!! He was already talking about he would do different next time!!

I had to....

take this picture and blog it! I can count on my hands the number of times that Dane has been with me to the grocery store since we have been married!! He hates to shop unless it is for him and one of his hobbies!!

Mom take a picture!!

Brian saw this car on the way to get Ice cream and made me promise to stop so he could take a picture to show his dad! He did not forget as we got closer he was was ready to take a picture! He loved this car and I have to admit it was pretty cool!! It had a keg as the gas tank and there is a JD bottle that is holding something!! He was so excited that he jumped out of the car to show his dad!

water grenades and golden spoon

While we were waiting for the dutch oven chicken, Em and I filled up (well really Em filled them up and I tied them) some water grenades. It was the perfect day for them it was so hot and they enjoyed the little extra soaks from the hose too!!!


So while the kids were throwing the balloons they got really BRAVE and started throwing some over the wall. They must have gotten close to the BBQ because Dane started yelling stop that almost hit the BBQ! Then Chuck took the hose and started spraying the kids over the wall! It was fun but like always the water balloons are gone way too quick.

After dinner Emilie treated us to Golden Spoon the kids were so excited because she even let them get toppings! She is so much nicer then me I never do toppings!!! It was a great COOL way to end a fun day!

Cookin for friends

Dane had to Dutch oven cook or he was going to drive all of us CRAZY!! I could not listen to or watch another video about how or what to make! So we decided to have the Dugans and Bert over to enjoy some cookin by Dane!!
He was so excited, he cleaned up the backyard well as best as he could!! And started the coals and put the chicken in and hung out waiting for it!!

He was all over the chicken!!! He stirred it and looked at it and then stirred it some more!! Finally it was done! He plated it up and we all agreed it was Yummy! Em even told Dane that was some of the best chicken she had ever had !! Had to hear that one more then once when everyone left!!! I think that he might have to start cooking more often!!

My favorite things in summer

Oh I love these things!! I love summer and the home grown tomatoes and onions that my family all grow and give me!! There is nothing better then a plate of nothing but onions and tomatoes slices with salt and pepper!!
My grandparents used to eat this and I would cringe and think that is so gross! Well now that my taste buds have matured I can say that I was missing out all these years!!!

Swimmin time

Today we decided that we should go swimming with the kids and what better place to do it then at Uncle Dude and Aunt Pam's house!! After I got off work we got everything together and started to the house. We had thought that we would be alone but much to our happiness Les and Pam had come early and were going to be home!!
We had a great time hanging out and watching the kids swim !! I loved being able to spend some time chatting with Pam! She is one of my favorite people I know! I love talking to her and laughing over our stories!


We stayed a lot longer then we thought and made plans to go and have some more fun!!! While we were there we finally got to meet the dogs who have taken over the cat house!! Van and Willie they are the cutest littlest pugs!! Brian was in love and talked about them the whole way home and I have to admit I have never been a huge fan of pugs but these guys are so cute!!

12 Year old....

Today while Dane was in the garage he decided to shave his head then he decided to shave his facial hair!! OK so I think that twice in our marriage he has done this and both times he looks like a 12 year old boy.
I asked him why he shaved it and he said that he just felt like it! Well after some prying I finally got out of him that it was because while they were in Arizona, Brian pointed out that he had gray hairs in his beard. I guess that was on his mind the whole time since he got back so he thought that he would take it all off!!
Bye Bye gray hairs or until they grow back in a day or two!!

Brian's favorite number

Grandma got this at a restaurant as her number for her order and then on accident she put in her purse!! When she realized that she had done it she realized that it was Brian's favorite number so she brought it home for her as a little surprise he instantly put it on his shelf for everyone to see!!!

Yankees...

Brian came home from Arizona so excited to show my mom something that he had gotten from Aunt Debbie. When he got home this was the first thing he showed me.
This was something very special to Debbie. This pendent was hanging on Justin's crib when he came home in 1984 from the hospital! Brian was so excited to see that the Spencers loved the Yankees as much as the Stucki's do!!!
He had to take it to Grandma's house and show her then when we got home we hung it in his room!!!

Dane's new toy

Danes dad gave him this while he was down helping with the house! Dane has been all over the Internet looking for recipes and how to clean them!! He has been chomping at the bit to cook something for us. He keeps showing me videos and making me watch them! I hope he cooks soon!!! Enough with the videos!!
He has cleaned this twice and is so impressed with how good it looks now and he keeps picking it up and saying can you believe how clean this is.........

Danes week in AZ!!

Dane had a great week
Aubrie got no pictures of all the stuff that they boys finished
They got the office-storage room framed
electrical moved
drywalled
textured
door hung
Painted
move all the stuff back in room
and even had some time
to
fight with brother
hang out with sister
hang out with friends
swim
and have a great time
and of course
Miss ME!!!!

The Kids week in AZ

The kids had a great week

even without their mom.......

Thursday
up early for car drive
got to Goose and Grumpy's
Had McDonald's

Friday
went to Debbie's house
had a great time in the pool
had a great dinner
Love that Aunt Debbie

Saturday
went to tree place to play
hung out with Raquel
had a fun day
(even though it was busy at the tree place )


Sunday
watched the men work again
built a car and pirate boat
out of scraps
painted the ship and car


Monday
Went to the movies
saw the Zoo keeper
first phone call from Brian
he misses his mom and cat
really had to go to bed before Aubrie and did not want to

Tuesday
Hung out at the house
watched TV
Enjoy a great dinner made by Grumpy

Wednesday
Children's Museum
with Goose and friends
hung out

Thursday
Aubrie got her toes done
Brian went shopping with the guys
got some really cool models that he made


Friday
Aubrie went shopping with Aunt Debbie and Goose
Got lots of clothes
Brian hung out with boys while they worked

Saturday
Went swimming at Aunt Debbie's
Had another yummy dinner
more shopping


Sunday
HOME!!!!!

on a side note
after reviewing Aubrie's picture taking this week we need to get her up to par on the picture taking skills!! She forgot her camera half the time and did not even think about it the rest of the time